The National tribune., 1887-08-25

selves and our much-fatigued horses. The
artillery horses were SO severely CALLED that
il was feared we could take the artillery but
little farther
An unseen solution Of the artillery prob
.em lay inst ahead Of ms. During this halt
ii was ascerlained that comparatively small
force was hanging on our rear. This led 10
grave apprehensions that the major part Of
our pursners were
ENDEAvoRING TO HEAD Us OFF,
and dispute our passage Of the Cumberland
Mountains, which now lowered high mp
against the western horizon. by the middle
OF the afternoon we were in the foothills Of
this picturesque chain, and 10 our dismay
learned that every pass, from Big Creek Gap
10 oCumberland Gap, distance of 80 miles,
was done gone blocladed," ms our inform
ant a native put it, Timber had been felled
in Chldcrs Gap, in Henshaw' Gap, and all
the lesser gaps, in the hope of cutting of our
retreat
After n consultation it was decided TO
abandon the artillery and try TO cross the
mountains regardless Of gaps. Accordingly
the guns were dsmounted aud spiked, shell
was wedped in each, the faces were battered
with axes, the carriages cut down, and the
ammunition and harness destroyed. If Par
son Struggled, of Strawberry Plains, had
passed this way at this time be might have
discovered books lying around which few
DAYS previously had belonged TO his exten-
siye library. Oh, why did you leave home,
Pars0n?
Leaving the road we entered path, and
In an hour emerged from the hills into The
beautiful little valley of Powell's River, at
the base Of the great Cumberland chain OPP
posite Henshaws Gap, which was guarded
by brigade of butternuts to dispute our
further progress. A line Of battle was quickly
formed with the left restingOn the river and
the right on the base of the mountains,
which at this place tower more than 1900
feet above the bed of the river. Skirmish-
ing increased TO 3 heavy fire. 1T was fight
TIE ISSUE OF WHICH
was liberty to rei0in our comrades or confne-
ment in a loathsome rebel prison.
Soon The command, "Forwardl-Doubl
quick March," rang out upon the balmy
evening air, and with yell the line swept
on 10 meet the foe who received il with a
heavy fire, but gave way as our line ad-
Fanced with the loss of few hundred pris-
oneE and battery of artillery.
The ascent of the mountain was now be-
gun at one of the most lofty points in the
lower portion of that range. The sun had
disappeared behind this grand upheaval of
limestone, and in the twilight horse and
rider scrambled over rocks and through un-
dorhrush, now striking a narrow tableland
only 10 find a more difficult ascent just
ahead Twilight receded into almost total
darkness, as the mOuntain-side was timbered
and shut out the starlight 1t was near
midnight when the summit was reached.
All was confusion IN the ascent. The differ
ent regiments and companies had become
blended together and all seemed 10 be
strangers TO one another, each trying TO find
mis- own company.
Five hours had been occupied in the as
cent, and canteens had long since been
empied Boys do you remember what you
would have given for a drink of water on
that mOuniain-top that night? In the
midst Oi the confusion shout was raised at
the foot of the mountain on the west side
Had she enemy crossed, and were they
ready TO dispute our descent? A half hour
OF suspense and joyful shout announced
that
SPRING HAD BEEN DISCOVERED
N the western base. The descent was com
pleted within an hour, and we struck the
Cumberland plateau, which extends west
ward 10 The Pine Mountains. A fire was
blazing by The spring and hundreds Of men
were waiting their turn 10 queDch their
thirst. We rested here during the few
hours that interviewed till daylight The
enemy abandoned the pursuit, and a
march OF 80 miles brou ht MS TO the Pine
Mountains and within a few miles Of the
Cumberland River Passing the mount
aims we encamped on small creek at the
western base near the hamlet OF Boston.
A genuine rest was here given, which was
welcome TO bo,h man and beast. We re-
sumed the march the next morning. re-
crossed the Cumberland al williamsburg AT
noon. whore We struck our old trail. Fol-
lowing this we arrived AZ Mount Vernon on
the evening Of the oath Of June, having been
absent AZ days. As we descended the hill
al Mount Vernon the men of the remaining
four gums Of Battery d welcomed the dust
begrmed raiders by firing 36 rounds.
The salute was greeted by three long and
loud cheers by the returning expedition.
Our total loss in killed wounded and cap
tured did not exceed 100men. We had had
an adventure of NO little daring and inter-
est, and had inflicted a serious blow, from
which the enemy could not soon recover.
Thus ended one OF the many brilliant eK-
pOits Of the late war which history has
thus far failed 10 record. Col Sanders was
rewarded by being promoted to the rank Of
Brigadier-G General.
Tup T0DTTTTTK MTNpO